KRIS MURRELL: FROM WOMAN'S NPC BB CHAMPION TO IFBB WOMAN'S PHYSIQUE.
A CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE AND A HAND SHAKE: PART 1
There are things that conjure a pleasant moment or memory. Chocolate covered peanut M&M conjure one of those memories for me. I was three weeks post Jr. Nationals in 2004. I was backstage expediting the first annual Kathy Connor's All Star Classic in Jacksonville Florida. My showing was less than memorable, but the M&M were something to remember. To the dismay of the other competitors, I was delightfully munching away at the candy goodies. It's not my usual post-contest size-up meal, but one just wasn't enough. My focus was lazer sharp. The yellow and green M&M were going down smoothly and nothing was going to detour me from devouring the entire bowl. The only thing that distracted me from my decadence was a delicious strawberry blonde with phenomenal lines. Her muscles covered in freckles, her assault on her arms was more than a pump up. The first thing I thought was that she would make a great light-heavyweight. I later learned she was 169-lbs. The first lesson learned, no matter how good a first impression Kris makes, there is more to her than the eye can see.
After seeing this genetic enigma pumping up, I wanted to go into the auditorium and watch her on the stage. As soon as she walked out, one could hear the crowd say, "this is a pro waiting to happen." Every trainer in the house must have reached for his business card with the intention of convincing her to train with him. Everyone except me. I had no business cards and still don't carry one to this day. I would later learn my next lesson: when you train a great athlete, everyone wants what you got.
Rarely do you see a competitor without national level experience move as gracefully as Kris. She danced competitively for 25 years at Busch Gardens and played soccer. She had been offered a scholarship for dance to Valdosta State University Georgia and Soccer to Andrew College Georgia. Her leg development was pro level. It overpowered her upper body, but with the right mentoring, any symmetrical issues could be quickly corrected. Despite not having a business card, I had one up on all the other trainers. Kris let me know backstage, with a few expletives, she wasn't pleased I had eaten all the M&M. I had made a good first impression. I have learned since, don't raise the ladies' ire. Hell hath no fury like a Princess who's been dieting. 
When her round of prejudging was done, I made a bee line for the backstage door. Kris came out as soon as I got there. Her parents were also there. Kris introduced me to her father and mother. It was clear where her genetics came from. Gene Murrell was a cross between Paul Bunyan and Santa Clause. He is a southern gentleman and retired from the northeast police department in Georgia. He stood 6'2 or so with a head full of white hair and a Santa Clause beard to match. When I shook his hand, mine were lost in his. Linda Murrell is his female equivalent, glasses and all. She was also employed by the northeast police department. Not only is Kris genetically gifted, she comes from a family with strong character and old-school family values. Kris was raised in Brunswick Georgia and is a real Georgia peach. Georgia peaches are as revered for their beauty as Colombian women. It is said a peach gets it's bright red and yellow color from the love of the sun. That's why they taste so good. This may be a folk tale but if there was anyone who got her freckled blonde beauty from the Georgia sun, it would be Kris.
While I was talking with the Murrells, a dozen trainers must have given their business cards to Kris. As it turned out, Kris wanted to perform at larger venues but didn't know how. Many athletes want direction but they also want to understand the hows and whys of contest prep. Our craft is a detail laden sport. Even if you do everything right, it still may not go the way you want. Kris was winning despite her lack of condition, but Kris didn't think she was getting the best out of her training and wanted to go in a different direction. After a brief conversation, Kris pulled out freezer bag full of chocolate chip cookies. I told her I would provide her with everything she needed to be the best she could be. I just needed her to do what I asked and I would teach her the hows and whys. With that, we shook hands and sealed the deal with chocolate chip cookies. After every show, we still recommit with chocolate chip cookies.
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